Alex Read struck in the second half to give Harlow a lead, after an even first period. His 12th goal of the season followed shortly after with a close range finish.

The visitors set-up a nervy finish with a goal late in injury time, but the second half performance was enough to see Harlow through, who now face a tough tie away to Havant & Waterlooville in the next round.

The hosts had the first sight of goal when Phil Kelly found space on the edge of the area, but his low shot was parried away by Hawks stopper David Hughes.

The visitors, despite being a division lower, were working hard to restrict the Hawks, meaning clear cut chances were few and far between.

Fabion Simms played Alex Read in behind the defence, but Brightlingsea captain Matt Cripps recovered well to shoulder the striker off the ball as he shaped to shoot.

Read did test the goalkeeper a minute later when Mario Noto played a ball over the top, but he couldn't get enough lift on the shot and Dan Beeson collected comfortably.

Brightlingsea wasted a gilt-edged chance when Phil Kelly pounced on a poor back-pass. With only the goalkeeper to beat Kelly dragged the shot wide of the post and Harlow were let off the hook.

With the half-time break bearing down, Harlow had their closest opportunity yet to take the lead. Joe Benjamin cut back from the byline to Mario Noto, whose low shot hit the post before being hacked clear.

HT: Harlow Town 0-0 Brightlingsea Regent

Harlow almost went ahead when they won a corner straight from the kick off. Fabion Simms headed down the cross, and Alex Read back-heeled towards goal only to see it cleared off the goal-line.

The Hawks had upped their game in the second half, and on 61 minutes they took the lead. Mario Noto's shot from the edge of the area deflected to Alex Read who turned and shot underneath the defender's legs and into the bottom corner of the goal.

Brightlingsea almost hit back a few minutes later, but the hosts had the acrobatics of David Hughes to thank that the lead was preserved. Matt Cripps cut the ball back to George Doyle on the penalty spot, and it seemed he couldn't miss. David Hughes dived to his right but stopped the ball with his legs for a magnificent save.

The second goal came with 15 minutes of normal time to play. A long throw into the box from Ibrahima Sonko was headed on by Fabion Simms at the near post. Alex Read was in the right place at the right time to volley into the roof of the net for a classic striker's goal.

The hosts were looking comfortable and could have scored again two minutes later when Joe Benjamin released Fabion Simms for a one-on-one opportunity. A great diving save by Dan Beeson preserved his side's slim hopes of a comeback.

In the third of five minutes of injury time the visitors did get on the score sheet to pave the way for an anxious end to the game. A free kick was cleared to the edge of the area and substitute Harry McDonald rifled an impressive first-time shot into the top corner.

It was too late for the visitors though, who can hold their heads up after their performances over the two 2nd Round Qualifying games.

FT: Harlow Town 2-1 Brightlingsea Regent